Writing for Puppetry

Playwriting and dramaturgy function very differently for puppets and actors. There have been some high-profile performances such as War Horse adapted to stage using puppetry but what are the challenges of using puppetry for a playwright and dramaturg? We’ve invited experts to open and discuss this very exciting debate about how to create great writing for puppetry.

Speakers include: Mervyn Millar, Corina Duyn, Emily LeQuesne

Mervyn Millar has been involved in many innovative and ground-breaking productions as director, designer, performer, writer or associate. He was part of the original creative team of the National Theatre’s War Horse and has directed puppetry for the show internationally.

Corina Duyn is an author, blogger and artist whose work is greatly influenced by nature and experiences with illness. The engagement of people with disabilities with puppets, not only as a form of therapy, but, as creators and artists in their own right is something that can be transformative.

Emily LeQuesne is a puppet theatre maker, script-writer, teacher and dramaturge, she is co-founder of Croon productions puppet theatre company. She is currently researching script writing and dramaturgy for puppet theatre as part of her PhD at Bath Spa university.

This talk is free but please book your ticket in advance.

Hosted by Nottingham Trent University who celebrate their 175th anniversary year in 2018, this is part of a series of specialist talks focusing on puppetry’s use and practice in a variety of fields, both within the creative sector and beyond. Through these talks we hope to create a greater advocacy and understanding of the richness of puppetry as a discipline and its ability to connect people and communities.

Nottingham Puppet Festival has been produced through a partnership between Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, City Arts and Nottingham Trent University. Nottingham Puppet Festival is supported through the National Lottery using public funding by Arts Council England and supported further by Nottingham City Council, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature and Midlands3Cities.